We spend a lot of time indoors. In fact, the EPA estimates that on average Americans spend roughly 90% percent inside where the concentrations of some pollutants can be 2-5 times higher than outdoor concentrations. Pollutants that negatively affect indoor air quality that pose health risks (particularly for those who are older or have weakened immune systems) includes carbon monoxide, particulate matter, pet dander, VOCs, mold, cleaning products, mold, and many other irritants—most of which come from indoor sources rather than outdoor ones. Newer buildings that have been constructed “tighter” for building performance and energy efficiency typically have less airflow, which can lead to higher concentrations of contaminants in the air.
I am always on the lookout for products that improve the quality of my living space—and by extension my health. I am a huge proponent of making sure my water filtration is always the best that I can afford. Now that I own a place, I may upgrade the system to something under the sink rather than a countertop iteration. But water is just one part of living healthy. Here are three other products that I landed on that may be of interest to you if you are looking to upgrade the health of your home.
Dorai
Bathrooms are pretty gross when you think about it. They are wet and warm and are the perfect environment for bacteria and mold to grow, especially if you live in a warmer climate. If you throw in toilet plume—the particulate that gets sprayed out of your toilet every time you flush it, which contains pathogens like E. coli, C. difficile, noroviruses and adenoviruses, just how gross your bathroom (let alone a public one) really sinks in. When the seat isn’t placed down, the concentrations of these invisible pathogens can spray feet into the air landing on textiles and surfaces.
My new home’s bathroom is fully tiled from floor to ceiling, and the toilet is right next to the shower. Design wise, it works since it optimizes space. But it got me thinking that perhaps I should explore bathmat options that aren’t cotton since I step below my toilet to get out of my shower. I came across the brand Dorai, which offers diatomaceous earth-based products for the home including kitchen and bath and decided to give them a go.
When doing a little digging about who was behind the curtain, I discovered that the brand was founded by a husband-and-wife duo, Kelsey O’Callaghan and Jason Klug, who launched the brand in 2018. “Our focus is to reinvent everyday products for damp, messy places of the home by using our unique Diomat®, material that dries instantly to prevent mold or mildew and allows water to disperse and evaporate much quicker than synthetic materials such as cloth fibers or foam,” explains O’Callaghan “Mold is incredibly common and often lingers in unexpected places such as the bathmat, under plants, or on soggy dish towels.”
At first, I thought that a mat made of diatoms wouldn’t be that comfortable under foot. But when I saw how the mat dries instantly and prevents water from tracking through my entire bathroom as I make my way out of it, I was sold. The mat is easy to clean. I don’t have to launder it, making it a more sustainable and water-conscious option, and it is inherently bacteria resistant by its physical properties not by added chemicals. “When moisture hits our Diomat® technology, the material traps bacteria and parasites so they dry out and die,” explains Klug. The products are also food-grade and non-toxic. “Dorai products have passed Prop-65, which holds even more rigorous standards than the EPA.”
LG
Have you ever thought about how much dust accumulates in your clothing? If it is hanging in your closet, it is essentially a textile filter capturing particulates in the air. If you dry clean your clothing, you may not do it every time you wear the garments so there is also the added layer of odors and other particulates you pick up along the way that you may put back in your closet.
I came across LG’s Styler steam closet almost five years ago and it changed my life. While it doesn’t take the place of a dry cleaner it does help with wrinkles, and it helps to refresh and remove allergens that build up on your clothing. Each use you can see how much falls down into the filter and it is pretty shocking. Sadly, it was casualty in my divorce and has been sitting in storage for almost 4 years. I am still working on designing my new space, but I plan on getting another one soon. I was happy to purchase the same unit that I had, but while on LG’s website, I saw that their newest model had moving hangars.
“The latest Styler delivers faster and more effective clothes-refreshing cycles with improved drying, dehumidification, and de-wrinkling performance. It’s a perfect solution for jackets, sweaters, blazers, dresses and more that need a quick refresh before you wear them again. It makes caring for clothes effortless, from hard-to-wash items to the fussiest fabrics,” explains Sandro Ledesma, Senior Manager of Product Management at LG Electronics. The moving hangars work in tandem to help loosen allergens, dirt, and debris. “As hot steam circulates the closet, the moving hangers vibrate side-to-side, up to 200 times every minute. The movement, mixed with the steam help to shake loosen particles so it’s fresh and ready to go for the next wear.”
The Styler removes allergens like pollen, dander, and dust. “This has helped it to become certified by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA),” continues Ledesma. “LG Styler also eliminates the need for hard chemicals by using TrueSteam® technology that generates steam that can penetrate all kinds of fabrics. This enables user to quickly and effectively remove pet dander that can remain on clothes and other surfaces for a long time.” I am looking forward to getting a new one in the near future.
Molekule
Similar to water, air quality is high on my list of priorities. I am a huge fan of Dyson and have 2 different sized air purifiers that I have used for years. But it was time to upgrade and decided to see what else was available. I landed on Molekule. Ironically, I was pitched this brand when they first came to market. But when I dug through their testing at the time, they were so new that they didn’t have enough to convince me to stray from what I knew and trusted. But that has all changed.
“While most conventional air purifiers only use HEPA filtration to capture pollutants, Molekule air purifiers use patented PECO technology—photo electrochemical oxidation—to go a step further and destroy what HEPA leaves behind. It’s like a HEPA filter with superpowers,” Jason DiBona, CEO of Molekule tells me in response to what makes their purifiers different from the other available manufacturers. “Inside each of our purifiers is a tripower filter. These high efficiency filters combine carbon, HEPA filtration, and PECO technology to create crisp, clean air. Each filter is coated with a proprietary nanocatalyst that, when exposed to UVA light, creates free radicals that break down pollutants into harmless elements like water vapor and carbon dioxide.”
Molekule can help with some of the issues I laid out with indoor air quality at the beginning of this post. Dibona explains to me that the brand’s latest model, Molekule Air Pro can help. “It’s our most advanced air purifier yet, and it’s great for living rooms, entryways, and mudrooms. The Air Pro covers 1,000 sq. feet, which is enough for a large, open concept main floor of a home. The Air Pro was designed with an easy-to-read display and two auto-protect modes that automatically adjust to air conditions in the home. Of course, it works with smart home systems and the Molekule app, that lets you keep track of your air quality anytime, anywhere.”
When I moved in, the former tenants were in this unit for around 30 years. Even after the deepest of cleanings, I was still catching whiffs of them in my place. Molekule has helped significantly minimize their remnants. It also helped me realize that my new sofa has been off gassing a lot of VOCs, so it has been working extra hard to capture those irritants, which I can see in the app. While I still love Dyson, I am impressed with Molekule’s performance.
